Want to clean up my disk before sending to support, what do I need to do?

[fleurya]

I have to let my MBP get held of by the "Geniuses" at the Apple store due to some issues with it not shutting down properly. I'm going to move all my personal files over to an external drive. What else can I do to get rid of anything else such as web browser history or records of passwords and such? Anything else I'm not thinking of?

I know I'm being paranoid, but you can't be too careful. And I've seen videos where a computer is set to record activity and proved tech people snoop people's drives and copy (steal) files.

 

[coach_z]

if you are that concerned...back it up and reformat it.

or jjust back up all your important stuff, and then delete everything in every preferences and cache folder you can find
-chris

 

[fleurya]

How do I locate the cache folders? Is there a "disk cleanup" I can run to take care of all the history?

Thanks for the help.

 

[coach_z]

i dont know where they are off the top of my head, like it says below my avatar, i dont own any macs anymore. try a spotlight search. although i recall them being near my preferences when i did it....

by the way getting rid of the caches too will basically have the same effects as formatting your HD, you will lose all settings, emails, widgits, and anything else you might think of
-chris

 

[Sherman Homan]

It will be less work to get an external drive, do a full backup, then wipe the drive. Digging around for cache files might keep them from seeing your pr0n sites, but it is going to be really hard to get all of your email settings, bookmarks etc. You need the backup anyway!

 

[fleurya]

I was primarily concerned with passwords to sites I visit like my bank. I use the "remember me" option so I don't have to type my user name and password into X sites X times a day. I don't want some techie checking my history, finding what bank I've been to on Safari, and then getting into my checking account.

 

[RiDE]

well... let's take it a step further in the paranoia

You should back-up and reformat for the reasons you mentioned... then, reformat again when you get it back to ensure they didn't install a Keylogger and have it set up to email them the log (all in the background).

Just a thought..

 

[fleurya]

Thanks Ride, but I'm not quite that far gone. Although, you may be pushing me there!

I'm guessing in their position, if they do want to be malicious or take anything, they have plenty of computers come in which are wide open with info and they don't have to waste time getting down and dirty with mine if the info isn't readily available.

 

[RiDE]

Thanks Ride, but I'm not quite that far gone. Although, you may be pushing me there!

I'm guessing in their position, if they do want to be malicious or take anything, they have plenty of computers come in which are wide open with info and they don't have to waste time getting down and dirty with mine if the info isn't readily available.

Agreed!